| Fly fishermen going after small stream trout | | | | Scientific Anglers Concept 2 |
| or pan fish can use almost any reel to simply | | | | |
| serve as device to store their line. However | | | | There are four Concept 2 fly reels and they |
| if you are going for powerful fish like pike, | | | | normally range in price from $35 up to $56. |
| steelhead or salmon, having a reel with a | | | | They are made from light, tough, composite |
| smooth drag and is capable of quickly taking | | | | polymer graphite and feature a quality disc |
| up line are a must have quality in your fly | | | | drag system. Sizes range from trout/pan fish |
| reel, having a reel that is well balanced and | | | | to saltwater game fish. The Model 58s built |
| light weight is also important to the fly | | | | for heavy fresh and light saltwater fishing |
| fishermen who spends all day on the river. | | | | and has an exposed spool for palming strong |
| Keep in mind that if you are after these | | | | fish into giving in. Amazingly it weighs in |
| qualities you are going to have to shell out | | | | at just 4.3 ounces. |
| more of your hard earned cash but you will be | | | | |
| glad you did if like me you spend most of | | | | Cabela's XSS |
| your day casting and fighting the powerful | | | | |
| steelhead and salmon. | | | | The XSS stand for "Extreme Saltwater and |
| | | | Spey," These are made for the larger game |
| When looking for a trout or pan fish fly reel | | | | fish and they too have it all from the large |
| I look at weight and balance more then any | | | | line capacity to their oversize paddle handle |
| other quality. One trick I use instead of | | | | and graphite, cork and Rulon disc drag. The |
| having to take a fly rod with me to assure | | | | reel was designed for anglers who target big, |
| the reel is balanced is I will wrap pencil | | | | fast game fish. The Size 1 is the smallest of |
| lead around the reel seat until the rod will | | | | the three, and handles 7 and 8 weight lines |
| balance at the grip point of the rod and then | | | | and 225 yards of 20-pound backing this fly |
| I just weigh the lead and I know how heavy of | | | | reel is capable of handling most salmon and |
| a reel I can use. | | | | steelhead and will run you about $175.00. |
| | | | |
| Now when it comes to picking out a fly reel | | | | Orvis Battenkill Disc Drag |
| that I will be using for salmon and steelhead | | | | |
| I want to make sure the drag has a full range | | | | Many fly anglers are familiar with the |
| of adjustment, and works smooth. You'll want | | | | Battenkill made by Orvis' and is one of their |
| a reel that can keep up with the fish should | | | | best-selling fly reels. It is available in |
| they suddenly make a run at you as well as | | | | three models ranging in price from $79 to |
| being able to hold enough backing when they | | | | $89. It is machined from cast aluminum, the |
| decide to head down stream on one of their | | | | reel features large disc drags and exposed |
| powerful runs as well. Once you find a fly | | | | rims for palming. The smallest reel handles |
| reel with these qualities you can start | | | | line weights from 2 through 5 and weighs just |
| looking at the weight and keep in mind what | | | | 4 ounces. The largest in this model only |
| weight fly line you will be using as well | | | | weighs 5 ounces and handles 6- to 9-weight |
| remember your fly line weight needs to match | | | | line. |
| the weight your fly rod is designed for. | | | | |
| Finding a reel with these qualities is the | | | | G. Loomis Venture |
| most important part. You can always balance | | | | |
| the rod and reel by adding weight to you rod. | | | | Made with the quality you'd expect from G. |
| Balance is the key more then weight as a | | | | Loomis, the three fly reels in the Venture |
| light rod and reel that is not well balanced | | | | line are machined from cast aluminum to be |
| will tire you out faster then a heavier setup | | | | tough, yet lightweight. These reels are a |
| which is well balanced. | | | | simple, classic design, but have quality |
| | | | features. The Model 7 selling at around $100 |
| One thing that I have noticed is that the | | | | is the largest of the group, and weighs a |
| true diehard fly fisherman is always asking | | | | mere 3.4 ounces; it handles the 7 weight line |
| is which rod reel combination do you prefer | | | | with about 150 yards of 30-pound backing. |
| and I have to save after using several | | | | |
| different setups that it is one that is well | | | | Sage 2500 Series |
| balanced. I truly have no preference as to | | | | |
| the make and model as long as it feels right. | | | | Sage, one of the world's largest |
| | | | manufacturers of premium fly rods, also makes |
| I have listed a few of the fly reels that I | | | | outstanding reels. The four in its 2500 line |
| have tried over the years just as a starting | | | | ranging in price from $300 to $375 are more |
| point for you, which one is best is something | | | | then capable of handling any fish you will be |
| that you will decide as you determine your | | | | going after. With a large-diameter spool for |
| needs and type of fish you are after. (They | | | | fast line retrieval and the offset 3:1 gear |
| are in no special order or preference.) | | | | reduction disc drag it is very responsive to |
| | | | the tiniest adjustment and would make for a |
| Pflueger 1195 Automatic | | | | good choice for the serious fly fisherman. |
| | | | |
| Because of its ease of use and convenience, | | | | Well these are a few of the reels that I have |
| Pflueger's Model 1195 Automatic Reel has been | | | | used over the last few years some I own some |
| a common fly reel for many trout anglers. It | | | | I have used and some I wish that I had but |
| has an aluminum alloy frame which features a | | | | just how many fly reels can you use at one |
| lever controlled internal coil spring. As the | | | | time anyways. I hope you have a better idea |
| angler presses on the lever the reel | | | | as to what you need to be looking for in your |
| automatically winds in the line. It's rather | | | | fly reel and it helps in your decision |
| heavy though weighing in at 9 ounces, but | | | | making. As always good luck and good fly |
| you'll like its affordability. | | | | fishing. |
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